Raul Albiol commented on his experience in Serie A, recalling the six years spent at Napoli as a "spectacular" and fundamental period for his career. In the Gazzetta dello Sport he underlined how, after Real Madrid, finding a club that welcomed him with affection from both the fans and the club was decisive. “It was difficult to find a place where I felt valued,” he said, referring to the role Napoli had in his personal and professional growth.
In the paragraph dedicated to Villarreal, the former player compared the Spanish team to a "family", similar to Real Madrid, and expressed his desire to find an environment where he could continue to feel like an important footballer. He recalled his two successful years in Europe with the club, including winning the Europa League and participating in the Champions League, and highlighted the difference between Napoli's physicality and his previous team, which was more technical and faster.
Albiol then analyzed Napoli's situation under Allegri's leadership. He said it was necessary to wait to fully judge the coach, but acknowledged the solidity of the team, which has greater physicality than in its past, but still maintains a high level of quality. He expressed respect for Allegri and underlined the importance of having the full team to achieve optimal results.
Finally, the former player referred to the protagonists of this evening's match, citing Gerard Moreno and Kevin De Bruyne as examples of players with experience and class. He highlighted how the "old guard", when fit, can make a difference on the pitch, and concluded by observing that these players see football differently, bringing added value to their teams.